FS Sports + Swing Catalyst Promo

[jasonreg]

Wondering what folks think of the SC Software. I have been interested in the software but the high monthly fees have always kept me back. I think the SC Home for $199 for the year is a really good deal but it is unclear what the renewal will be - these software packages are not listed on the SC site either so it is tough to say. Might be worth trying for the first year.

Any thoughts?

[vrpunk]

Thinking the same, 2 cameras, like the data integration into the video, might give it a year, download trial see if cams work first.

[nicu2001]

I run two Imaging Source cameras in my setup and have been playing around with Swing Catalyst the last few days via trial and then bought in on the promo. If you liked to use FSX integrated video to review then this is worth it and is better and dedicated, especially if you have a two monitor sim setup to have the swing software running on the second screen. It works while FSX is running or standalone and the launch monitor triggers the recording and the data populates right in and attaches to the swing.

One thing is if you want to export a swing with the launch monitor data to send to someone then they need to have the software as well (to view the .take file) or you need to use a third party screen recorder like streamlabs obs to record the screen with the swing video(s) plus launch monitor data as a separate video. You can however export JUST the recorded video(s) without the LM data. This software is definitely useful if you have cameras in your sim and you use them, and you can then also use the software outside of that and import videos etc.

I believe the plan is to phase out or at least stop officially supporting the integrated video in FSX and let this partnership take over, but do not quote me on that!

[jasonreg]

Interesting. Thanks for that - very helpful. I do have 2 IS cameras for my setup. May give this a whirl.

[vrpunk]

I have 2 x 120fps ‘from china’ usb cams, will test.
Can coaches view the .take file using the free swing catalyst phone/tablet app, either being sent or from the cloud?

[John6577]

I bought 2 of the Dragon USB cameras directly through SC. Not special quality cameras but they do the job. Just make sure to have a lot of light. As for their software, I tried their free trial and am impressed with it. Really like being able to draw lines that I can see while doing real time swings (basically use my second TV as a mirror using the lines to do repeated slow swings before doing a full swing at a ball). Only gripe is I had trouble getting it to record correctly and gave up on it. Also does not support GC3 yet but should come soon. Overall, its a much better deal now that they are partnering with FS and I would def recommend it as long as you have adequate cameras, enough light in your room and can figure out the video capture.

[iacas]

If you're a Mac user, https://analyzrgolf.com/ works pretty well and costs a LOT less without being a subscription.

[Cris]

I run two Imaging Source cameras in my setup and have been playing around with Swing Catalyst the last few days via trial and then bought in on the promo. If you liked to use FSX integrated video to review then this is worth it and is better and dedicated, especially if you have a two monitor sim setup to have the swing software running on the second screen. It works while FSX is running or standalone and the launch monitor triggers the recording and the data populates right in and attaches to the swing.

One thing is if you want to export a swing with the launch monitor data to send to someone then they need to have the software as well (to view the .take file) or you need to use a third party screen recorder like streamlabs obs to record the screen with the swing video(s) plus launch monitor data as a separate video. You can however export JUST the recorded video(s) without the LM data. This software is definitely useful if you have cameras in your sim and you use them, and you can then also use the software outside of that and import videos etc.

I believe the plan is to phase out or at least stop officially supporting the integrated video in FSX and let this partnership take over, but do not quote me on that!

Thanks for the info. I'm interested in this as well, but I'd like to know whether I can have an outside trigger - mic, for example - as I like to work on mechanics without being concerned with ball flight or shot data. GCQuad flash overwhelms my capture as well.

[nicu2001]

Thanks for the info. I'm interested in this as well, but I'd like to know whether I can have an outside trigger - mic, for example - as I like to work on mechanics without being concerned with ball flight or shot data. GCQuad flash overwhelms my capture as well.

Yes you can trigger via mic or the launch monitor!

[sulli182]

I bought 2 of the Dragon USB cameras directly through SC. Not special quality cameras but they do the job. Just make sure to have a lot of light. As for their software, I tried their free trial and am impressed with it. Really like being able to draw lines that I can see while doing real time swings (basically use my second TV as a mirror using the lines to do repeated slow swings before doing a full swing at a ball). Only gripe is I had trouble getting it to record correctly and gave up on it. Also does not support GC3 yet but should come soon. Overall, its a much better deal now that they are partnering with FS and I would def recommend it as long as you have adequate cameras, enough light in your room and can figure out the video capture.

On the website it shows the Dragon USB cameras come with 5 feet of USB cable. Can you use a longer cable or is that as long as it will work. I need probably 8-10 feet

[preludesam]

You can use a longer cable but you made need to get an active USB cable. On lengths, around 10 feet or more signal integrity becomes an issue on high-speed transfers. It's really a case-by-case issue and relies heavily on the quality of the cable from the manufacturer.

"The 3.0/3.1 specification does not specify a maximum cable length between USB 3.0/3.1 devices (SuperSpeed or SuperSpeed+), but there is a recommended length of 3 meters (or about 9 feet and 10 inches). However, the biggest limitation to the length of the cable is the quality of the cable. Results may vary, but with a high-quality cable, you should be able to go beyond 3 meters. However, to ensure you achieve the best results possible, use an active cable when going more than 10 feet (3 meters)."

https://www.yourcablestore.com/USB-Cable-Length-Limitations-And-How-To-Break-Them_ep_42-1.html

[vader14]

I bought in on the promotion, just installed the SC software, it was really easy to setup and I really like it. I hope the renewal stays at a reasonable price in a year. One thing I noticed is that you can export you video and pull the video up with their mobile app, no data but you can get your video. Their mobile app is free and very simple but I find it useful on the range.

[ruxpin23]

I run two Imaging Source cameras in my setup and have been playing around with Swing Catalyst the last few days via trial and then bought in on the promo. If you liked to use FSX integrated video to review then this is worth it and is better and dedicated, especially if you have a two monitor sim setup to have the swing software running on the second screen. It works while FSX is running or standalone and the launch monitor triggers the recording and the data populates right in and attaches to the swing.

One thing is if you want to export a swing with the launch monitor data to send to someone then they need to have the software as well (to view the .take file) or you need to use a third party screen recorder like streamlabs obs to record the screen with the swing video(s) plus launch monitor data as a separate video. You can however export JUST the recorded video(s) without the LM data. This software is definitely useful if you have cameras in your sim and you use them, and you can then also use the software outside of that and import videos etc.

I believe the plan is to phase out or at least stop officially supporting the integrated video in FSX and let this partnership take over, but do not quote me on that!

happy to hear the IS cameras work with SC. What model cameras do you have if you don’t mind me asking? Was the setup pretty simple or was there a lot involved?

[Kopegolfer]

Wow they added IS camera support? I had the full version of SC for a bit last year but I had to buy one of their Bluefly gigabit cameras for it, my IS USB 3.0 camera was not supported in SC. I got the new integrated version with GCQuad triggering and I love it. I will try to use the IS camera now for a two camera setup.

[tkvaughn999]

I'm fairly late to the camera game of FSX 2020. Currently I'm having success with two iPhone XR as cameras via ivCAM. Would this setup work for SC software?

[fortysixandtwo]

Did you happen to try it out? I just learned about iVCam and started using it yesterday with fsx2020

[tkvaughn999]

Yup. Works well. Video with newest iPhone is pretty good. Can’t complain given that app is $10. I really like the SC. Good practice. I wonder what cost will be after the one year special?

[tkvaughn999]

I'm fairly late to the camera game of FSX 2020. Currently I'm having success with two iPhone XR as cameras via ivCAM. Would this setup work for SC software?

To be fair, I'd be willing to give it a shot and get a free course. Not worried about having highspeed cameras yet, possibly down the road.